County teachers ‘truly care’ for students

Brian Compton, in the middle of his second year at Pulaski County Public Schools, is over library media at Critzer Elementary School.

The media librarian earned his master’s from Radford University and resides in Fairlawn. He worked for Floyd County Public Schools before joining the Pulaski County school system.

He says what sets Pulaski County’s school system apart from others is clear: “It’s the way we truly care for our students.”

One of his most memorable experiences as a library media specialist involved student reaction to a book he was reading aloud:

“One time I was reading ‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.’ There’s a section in the book when Alexander makes the comment that he thinks he’ll move to Australia. Just then a little boy spoke up and said, ‘Mr. Compton, I think I might want to move to Australia, too.’ Suddenly, a little girl beside of him said, ‘They’ve got the same amount of problems over there, honey!’”

Compton shares that his philosophy of teaching is to avoid taking what you do so seriously. As he puts it, “We’re school teachers – not neurosurgeons.”

He explains, “There’s nothing worse than losing your students by speaking in a monotone voice or making your lessons so set-pattern. Go outside the box and encourage your students to do the same.”

Compton believes good teachers are patient. He also thinks good teachers are confident in the job they’re doing.

“And when this occurs,” he continues, “the students feel more secure within their learning environment.”

One of Compton’s hobbies includes collecting toys from the 1960s, along with vintage Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead comics up to 1966.

For relaxation he’s a bit more modern. “I like watching Blu-ray movies on my 43” 4K UHD televisions. The clarity is astounding,” he says.

Not many people know Compton briefly worked for the FBI in Richmond.

“But I absolutely hated my responsibilities,” he shares. “All I did in a given day was file and take two breaks to go on the roof and burn trash – because of all the confidential papers. I came home, went back to college and got my B.A. at the age of 25.”